THE LEADER'S REPORT: SPECIAL MESSAGE ON HEALTH REFORM

For all of the months of debate over health insurance reform, one thing is beyond debate: for far too long, American health care has been on an unsustainable course. We have seen it in many families bankrupted, and many more paying greater amounts for less coverage each year. We have seen it in businesses rapidly dropping their employees’ expensive coverage. And we have seen it in a budget sent deeper and deeper into debt by the world’s most expensive health care system. Last night, we voted to change that unsustainable course.

Leader Hoyer speaks at a news conference with House
Democratic Leaders following passage of health care
reform.

In voting for reform, we accomplished a task that has been on America’s agenda for more than a century: bringing affordable health care to all. It was a goal of presidents of both parties and of both parties’ nominees in the last election.

Last night, we passed a bill that includes the goals of those who tried before us. Passage of this bill means more control for consumers, and less for insurance companies. It ends discrimination against Americans with pre-existing conditions, and ends medical bankruptcy and caps on benefits. It guarantees coverage you can rely on whether you lose your job or become your own boss—coverage that reaches 95% of Americans.

Health insurance reform creates a free, competitive, transparent marketplace where individuals and small businesses can pool together to buy private insurance at low rates. It closes the prescription drug “donut hole” for seniors and makes coverage more affordable for the middle class.

Finally, health insurance reform is the biggest deficit-reducing measure since the Clinton budgets of the 1990s, which ushered in a budget surplus and historic prosperity. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill we passed saves America $143 billion over the first decade and more than $1 trillion over the decade to follow.

It is a bill that can stand beside Social Security and Medicare in its accomplishment for our families and our country. And it will create a more prosperous, more just future—a future we can be proud to hand our children.

Sincerely yours,
STENY H. HOYER

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MAJORITY NEWS UPDATE

Hoyer Opens Debate on Health Reform

Last night, Leader Hoyer opened debate on health reform, concluding a year-long debate by passing legislation that will bring quality, affordable health care to all Americans.